Tours and Tickets to Experience Chugach State Park

There are plenty of ways to experience Chugach State Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience from Anchorage

• Wildlife and Glaciers with a Walk in the Rainforest

• Glaciers and Wildlife: Super Scenic Day Tour from Anchorage

• Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Scenic Bike Tour 

• Anchorage Aurora Tour and Northern Lights Photo

There’s no fee to visit Chugach State Park, but you will need to pay US$5 to park (if you're coming for the day) or US$20 per site if you're spending the night at one of the campgrounds. Most cabins in the park start at around US$100 per night.

There are loads of great trails in Chugach State Park, ranging from easy hikes such as the Thunderbird Falls Trail and the Anchorage Overlook Trail to challenging options such as the Twin Peaks Trail. The Crow Pass Trail is considered one of the best options, but it takes most people two days to complete.

You can see all sorts of wildlife in Chugach State Park, though what you see will depend on luck and the season. During the fall rut, it's common to see bull moose around Powerline Pass, while bald eagles are a frequent sight during fish runs. Dall sheep are another commonly spotted creature.

Summer is generally the best time to visit Chugach State Park, when the weather is pleasant enough for hiking, and long days give you more time to feasibly be on the trails. Late summer and early fall are particularly ideal for berry picking. If you come in the winter, expect lots of snow.

Parts of Chugach State Park are very close to Anchorage, making it possible to visit the park as a half-day or full-day excursion. Your best bet for accessing the park is to either rent a car and drive yourself or leave the driving to someone else by visiting on a tour.